Sputnik cap



D. FRANK SPUTNIK CAP Feb. 7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1958 nn n h Feb. 7, 1961 D. FRANK SPUTNIK CAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1958 INVENTOR. DEAN FRANK United States Patent SPUT'NIK CAP Dean Frank, Box 194, Burke, S. Dak.

Filed June 26, 1958, Ser. No. 744,724

2 Claims. (Cl. 240-60) I This invention relates to head coverings and more particularly to a novelty head piece.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a special purpose head piece having self-contained illuminatmg means that will provide suflicieut light for performmg various tasks in the dark.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a head piece having self-contained signal means for warning approaching motorists of the presence of an individual along a highway.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a head piece of the above type that is comfortable to wear, attractive in appearance, and which is completely selfcontained with all sources of illumination completely hidden within the interior thereof.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an illuminated head piece bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a head piece made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view I of the head piece shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of certain parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 55 of Figure 2; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a head piece made in accordance with the present invention in operative use.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a head piece 10 made in accordancewith the present invention is shown to include a hollow segmental spheroidal shell 12 that is preferably constructed from translucent molded plastic material. This shell 12 includes a plurality of radially outwardly extending integral spikeslS of preferably hollow triangular cross sectional configuration constructed of the same translucent molded plastic material as that of said shell.

The shell 12 further includes a head harness 15 that has an adjustable head band 16 for adjusting the sides of the harness to fit a head of substantially any size;

A plurality of rivets 17 or other suitable fastening elements secure a plate 18 formed of insulating material such as molded plastic transversely within the interior of the shell intermediate the head harness 15 and the outermost portion thereof. This plate 18 has a base 19 secured thereto which supports a lamp socket 20 having rivet 24 to the opposite end of the plate 18 formed of insulating material maintains the terminal of a dry cell 25 in constant contact with the base of the lamp 21. A switch 27 rotatably supported upon a conductor 28 is selectively movable by means of a handle 26 between an open and closed circuit relationship with the lamp and dry cell. When in the circuit closed position as shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, the closed switch 27 will effect current to travel through the conductor 28 to the lamp 21. However, when rotated to the open circuit position 27A, the lamp 221 is deenergized. The dry cell 25 is properly positioned between the lamp base and the spring plate 23 by means of a sleeve 30 which is also secured, such as by rivets 31 to the insulation plate 18.

In actual use, energization of the lamp 21 will enable a sufiicient amount of light to pass downwardly through the space between the plate 13, head harness 15, and the outer periphery of a shell 12 to enable the workman to perform tasks in the dark. The illumination of the lamp 21 further illuminates the translucent shell 12 and the outwardly extending spikes 13 so as to provide a visible warning of the presence of a person in the area. The attractive nature of the head piece further enhances its appearance and is not readily mistaken for conventional lamps that are along a roadway, thus enabling this hat to be safely worn by stranded motorists or mechanics repairing vehicles along the side of the road.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electrically illuminated head covering comprising, in combination, a hollow spheroidal shell, an adjustable head harness secured and arranged horizontally within said hollow shell, a plate formed of insulating material rigidly secured within the interior of said shell, said plate arranged horizontally and intermediate said head harness and the outer extremity of said hollow shell, said shell embodying at least seven radially outwardly extending integral translucent spikes of hollow crosssectional configuration, an electric light bulb mounted on said rigid plate and positioned with its filament so as to be visible through said translucent spikes, a source of electrical current supported within said hollow shell, an electrical conductor and a pivotal type switch means for connecting said source and said light bulb in the same circuit, said switch means operable in a vertical position to close said circuit and in a horizontal position to open said circuit, said switch means pivotally mount ed between said plate and the upper portion of said shell.

2. In an electrical illuminated head covering comprising, in combination, a hollow spheroidal translucent shell, an adjustable head harness secured and arranged horizontally within said hollow shell, a plate formed on insulating material rigidly secured within the interior of said hollow shell, said plate arranged horizontally intermediate said head harness and the outer extremity of said hollow shell, a plurality of integral radially, outwardly, translucent spikes of hollow cross-sectional configuration, extending from the outer surface or" said hollow shell, an electric light bulb mounted on the upper surface of said plate, a dry cell battery, said battery held in constant" wardly' between said shell and said head harness and thfoughsaid translucents'hell and said integral translucent spikes, a pivotal switchmeans for contacting said spring means when in a vertical position, an electrical conductor between said switch means and said light bulb, for connecting said spring means, said battery, and said light 5 bulb in the same circuit when light is desired to flow from said shell and spikes said switch means operable Lina vertical position .to close said circuit and in :a horizontal position to open said circuit, said switch means pivotally mounted between said plate and the upper por- 10 ti'on of said shell.

References Cited in the file or this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Kempy Jan. 1, 1918 Scott June 14, 1949 Rothchild l Mar. 21, 1950 Prupis June 2, 1953 Bowers June 21, 1955 DArbelofi Nov. 22, 1955 Hesse Apr. 9, 1957 Campanell Dec. 10, 1957 

